New York state governor, Kathy Hochul was hosted on Monday, 10 November 2025 in Santiago de los Caballeros, by Santiago city mayor Ulises Rodriguez. She was formally received as a “distinguished visitor.”
Hochul landed at the Cibao International Airport with a delegation of New York legislators and city officials. She came with her husband.
At the airport she was also received by Dominican consul in New York Jesus Vasquez Martinez, Santiago provincial governor Rosa Santos, and business people Felix Garcia and Jose Clase.
She was first taken to the iconic Monumento a los Heroes de la Restauracion. She was immediately taken to the fifth floor of the monument for a panoramic view of the city.
She also participated in the Son de Keka, a traditional Sunday activity with Son music and grassroots music.
She received the keys to the city from the Santiago Mayor.
She made trip accompanied by Dominican-born New York representative Adriano Espaillat, New York City Transport Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and New York senator Luis Sepulveda, Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia, senator Manny de los Santos and Assemblymember Al Taylor.
Santiago de los Caballeros is the second-largest city in the Dominican Republic, with more than a million inhabitants. Hundreds of thousands of Dominicans from Santiago have relocated to New York over the past decades, yet keep close ties to their home country.
In her remarks upon receiving the honor, she stated: “Know this, those of you who have family members who are now my constituents — one million strong — I will treat them as if they’re my family as well. I will protect them. I will take care of them. I will keep them healthy. I will keep them safe. Because I understand we are una familia.”
She remarked that the delegation would continue the dialogue on furthering economic development and the growth and the challenges faced on how to manage that growth. “The fact that you need more housing and more accommodations for the people who want to live here,” she observed.
“I’m also aware that we have ideas and resources that could perhaps help with your challenges to protect the absolutely beautiful river that graces this region as well. Adriano Espaillat has asked me for that assistance as well,” she stated.
She announced there are many in New York that are interested in investing in the Santiago.
Hochul’s term expires in 31 December 2026. She seeks to be reelected in the November 2026 governor election. Since 1958, all New York governors who have sought to be reelected have won the bid.
Hochul took office in August 2021 upon the stunning resignation of former Governor Andrew Cuomo, who stepped down amid allegations of sexual harassment that he has denied. Hochul’s unexpected ascent gave her roughly a year before her first primary election for governor to prove herself to voters, and a little bit longer before her first general election for the position.
The governor came riding the momentum of the recent win of fellow Democrat, Zohran Mandami now the Mayor-elect of New York City, reportedly with the turnout of Dominican voters in New York. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-NY) had endorsed Zohran Mamdani for New York City mayor, enhancing his campaign.
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11 November 2025